Rack for dental and like tools.



wisLE LINroRD sM ITiI,

PATEN gFFlcE or PITTSBURG, PENNsYLvANIA.

RACKZFOR DENTAL ANIT LIKE TOOLS.

.Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

Application filed August 28, .1908. Serial No. 450,763.

To all 'wlwm 'it may com-em:

Be it known that I, WESLEY L'mrom SMT, a resident of Pittsburg, in the county of Alleghey and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Racks for Dental and Like Tools, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to racks for holding small tools such as used by dentists, surgeons and the like, and more particularly to a rack for holding dental burs.

The Object of the invention is to provide a rack for this purpose, which is simple and cheap of construction; which is entirely germ-proof, or capable of being subject cd to antiseptic treatment, and also which is convenient to use.

Generally stated, the invention consists of a rack formed of some suitable germ-proof material, preferably vitreous material, such as lass or porcelain, and having a series of inc ined` surfaces arranged in stepped relation to each other and provided with tool receiving grooves.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tool rack; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the 'same on line 2-2 Fig. 1; and F ig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3, Fi 1.

The tool rack comprises a suitale body 1, having its bottom surface either flat or provided With side ribs orotherwise suitably formed to be supported on a table or in a drawer, or the like. On its upper surface this body is provided with a series of inclined tool support surfaces or trays, five such surfaces being shown and marked 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively. These surfaces are placed successively at higher elevations, or in stepped relation with each other, as clearly shown. Each inclined surface is provided with a series of tool receiving grooves 7, extending from the lower to the upper end thereof. At the upper end of the upper surface is a transverse depressed portion 8. The tool supporting surfaces are surrounded by a rim or barrier, such as the side walls, bottom wall 9, and top wall 10,`and preferably also a -wall or partition 11, extends along the middle of inclined surfaces, dividing each surface into two parts.

The tools are indicated at 12, and the several inclined surfaces will be nade of such lcngth that the ends of the tool shanks rest against the vertical walls at the lower end of each inclined surface, and their heads or plainly exposed, and furthermore, it is so constructed that a single tool can be readily picked out without disturbing the others. The rack is, therefore, very convenient to use;

b'lPhe tool rack will be formed of some Suita e rial which can be subjected to any kind of antiseptic treatment, such as boiling and the like, to render the same and the tools held therein sanitary. Preferably the rack will be formed of vitreous material, such as glass or porcelain having a highly glazed or vtreous surface, so that the rack is non-porous and does not serve as a lodgment or culture 'for germs. If desired, it may .be made of metal coated with a vitreous or non-porous enamel.

What I claim is:

1. A rack for dental and Similar tools and instruments, comprising a'body of vitreous germ-proof material, or at least, mate material provided with a series of inclined surfaces placed in stepped relation to each other, and havin tool receiving grooves formed therein an running from the lower to 'the upper edges of said surfaces.

2. A rack for dental and Similar tools and instruments, comprising a body of germproof material higher at one end than at the other and prpvided with a series of inclined surfaces arranged in stepped relation to each other and each higher than the preceding one and provided with tool receiving grooves running from their lower to their upper edges.-

3. A rack for dental and Similar tools and 'instruments, comprising a body of vitreous maherial'provided With an inclined surface wall and having their .upper ends projecting a having formed therein tool receiving grooves over said recess. running from the lower to the upper edges In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set .of said surface, said body having a vertical my hand.

wall at the lower edge of said inclined sur- WESLEY LINFORD SMITH. face and a depression at the -upper ed e of Witnesses:. said inclined surface, whereb tools wil rest WILLIAM I. KING,

with their ends against the ottom vertica-I F. W. WINTER. 

